Proverbs 9

 

Proverbs 9

 

King James Version (KJV)

1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

 

Proverbs 9

 

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

1 Wisdom has built herself a house;
she has carved her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her food, spiced her wine,
and she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her young girls [with invitations];
she calls from the heights of the city,
4 “Whoever is unsure of himself, turn in here!”
To someone weak-willed she says,
5 “Come and eat my food!
Drink the wine I have mixed!
6 Don’t stay unsure of yourself, but live!
Walk in the way of understanding!”
7 “He who corrects a scoffer only gets insulted;
reproving a wicked man becomes his blemish.
8 If you reprove a scoffer, he will hate you;
if you reprove a wise man, he will love you.
9 Give to a wise man, and he grows still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn still more.
10 The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of holy ones is understanding.
11 For with me, your days will be increased;
years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom helps you;
but if you scoff, you bear the consequences alone.”

13 The foolish woman is coarse;
she doesn’t think, and she doesn’t know a thing.
14 She sits at the door of her house
or on a seat at the heights of the city,
15 calling to those who pass by,
to those going straight along their ways,
16 “Whoever is unsure of himself, turn in here!”
To someone weak-willed she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he doesn’t realize
that the dead are there,
and that those who accept her invitation
are in the depths of Sh’ol.

　

To divide any of these verses would be a mistake. Here, we plainly see  the  vast differences in  being wise, or foolish. The choice is ours.

Very simply, very plainly.

The wise one prepares, and has made all of the arrnagements. In following that choice, we all can see the dinner that has been prepared. The table is set: the drinks are poured. Walk with wisdom, and eat your fill!

Sadly, the foolish make no preparations, nor set a banquet. Steal your drink and eat whatever you may find. So many seem to chhose that path of no resistance.

It’s difficult to prepare a table, and set a banquet fit for a King! It’s not easy making sure that all the invitations have been mailed, and thst no guest leaves hungry.Much less, have a guest who doesn’t have a good time! Any hostess can you…. it’s not easy.

Comparing wisdom to a banquet of sorts may be childish, but, it’s as plain a reference as you will ever see. Finding wisdom is  very similar to dicovering a banquet of delights! You are free to eat all that you want, and, best of all… you are not required to clean up afterward!! You can stay and partake of the dining pleasures as long as you want!! The company is delightful, the conversation stimulating!

Who doesn’t like a good party?  Our Lord has sent out the invitations…… won’t you join Him?

The first step is replying to His R.S.V.P.

All you have to do is say, Yes, Lord, I will.